If your washing machine is bouncing around the room, there's a problem with the shock absorber system. These are the dampers—the pillars that absorb the vibrations emanating from the spinning drum. If they break, the balance is disrupted, causing the machine to wobble excessively. You can repair the vibration damper yourself. Moreover, repairs can often be completed without purchasing new pillars—restoring the washing machine's shock absorbers can extend their lifespan by another couple of years.
Description of shock absorber repair
Don't buy replacement shock absorbers right away—sometimes it's possible to repair old ones. In any case, you'll first need to remove them, unhook them from the tank and housing, and remove them from the car. Afterward, inspect the struts, check the piston stroke, and assess the condition of the gasket. Often, the problem is the gasket: it wears out and begins to slow down the piston. This type of problem is quick and easy to fix, as simply replacing the rubber seal is all that's required to restore the mechanism.
The damper gasket can be replaced by hand according to the following instructions:
remove the old gasket;
take a belt 3 mm thick;
apply the belt to the rod and measure a length proportional to the hole;
cut off a piece of rubber;
insert a new gasket in place of the old one (it is important that the edges of the parts fit tightly);
treat the gasket with a special lubricant to reduce friction;
return the rod to its place;
check the piston stroke.
When installing the damper, use a special lubricant for shock absorbers or regular lubricant for bearings.
If the piston rod moves slowly even without the gasket, the problem lies in the structure itself. In this case, replacing the rubber seal won't solve the problem—the entire strut will have to be replaced. The same procedure applies if the damper is non-removable and cannot be repaired. Also, remember that it's best to replace shock absorbers in pairs to avoid disturbing the tank's balance.
It's important to choose the right new shock absorbers. The type and size of the shock absorber installed in your washing machine depends on its model and manufacturer. Don't buy at random—you must provide the store consultant with the machine's serial number. You can also bring your old shock absorber and ask them to find a replacement.
Replacement without removing the tank
Not everyone succeeds in restoring their shock absorbers. Often, the mechanism wears out to the point where replacement is necessary, as all structural components wear out. In this case, new struts will have to be installed.
Experienced technicians recommend replacing shock absorbers in pairs. The logic is clear: both parts experience the same load during machine operation, and therefore, their wear rate is approximately equal. If one shock absorber is left intact, the vibration emanating from the drum will be dampened unevenly during washing and spinning. As a result, the mechanism will quickly fail, and previously intact parts will begin to wear out.
To replace the dampers, they must be removed from the vehicle. Removal is quick if the vibration dampers have simple fasteners and are easily detached from the housing. Here's how:
remove the front or back cover of the case (depending on the machine model);
we find shock absorbers under the tank;
unfasten the latches or unscrew the bolts;
we take out the racks;
we install a new kit;
We assemble the machine and run a test wash.
Before disassembling, it's best to check which side of the machine is best for accessing the dampers. To do this, consult the washing machine's technical data sheet.
We change the shock absorbers, having first removed the tank
Restoring the shock-absorbing system is more difficult if the dampers can only be removed with the drum. In this case, you'll have to almost completely disassemble the washing machine, removing any foreign parts and wiring from the plastic drum. The instructions for disassembling the washing machine are as follows:
remove the top cover of the housing;
pull out the detergent drawer;
detach the instrument panel by unscrewing the bolts holding it;
unhook the upper springs that secure the washing tank;
disable UBL;
remove the front panel;
disconnect the drain pipe and other connected hoses and wires from the tank;
remove the tank from the housing together with the vibration dampers.
Stuck parts are treated with WD-40.
Afterwards, we inspect the racks and repair them if possible. If repairs fail, we replace them with new ones. Then, the machine is reassembled in reverse order. To ensure trouble-free disassembly, it is recommended to record your actions with a video camera. It's also a good idea to immediately clean the remaining components of the washing machine to remove dirt and scale, and also assess their wear.
If your washing machine is bouncing around the room, there's a problem with the shock absorber system. These are the dampers—the pillars that absorb the vibrations emanating from the spinning drum. If they break, the balance is disrupted, causing the machine to wobble excessively. You can repair the vibration damper yourself. Moreover, repairs can often be completed without purchasing new pillars—restoring the washing machine's shock absorbers can extend their lifespan by another couple of years.
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